"Crazy Rich Asians" Director Jon M. Chu Is Reportedly Making His Own Thai Cave Rescue Film

On Wednesday, news broke that U.S. production company Pure Flix Entertainment was planning to secure the film rights to the story of the Thailand cave rescue. Now, Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu has expressed his concerns with the increased Hollywood interest in the rescue — and is reportedly in talks to make his own movie on the topic.

Variety reported that Jon will team up with Ivanhoe Pictures to work on the film. Earlier, he had tweeted about whitewashing in the movie industry. "I refuse to let Hollywood #whitewashout the Thai Cave rescue story," he tweeted on July 11. "No way. Not on our watch. That won’t happen or we’ll give them hell. There’s a beautiful story abt human beings saving other human beings. So anyone thinking abt the story better approach it right & respectfully."

He continued tweeting, sharing the Variety article that touched on his planned project. "Its a bit early 2truly discuss but the biggest lesson I learned frm making #CrazyRichAsians is that we must tell our stories especially the important ones so history doesnt get it wrong," he tweeted. "This one is too important 2 let others dictate who the real heroes are. We have the power to not only MAKE history but be the historians that RECORD it too. So that it’s told correctly and respectfully. Couldn’t just sit here watching how others would “interpret” this important story."

He closed his series of tweets with a question, writing, "Why did it take me 38 years to realize... we can fight back."

Pure Flix Entertainment which is known for their often religious-based entertainment content, had shared their hopes to secure the film rights in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The studio's CEO and founder Michael Scott had reportedly not yet spoken with any of the 12 boys that had been trapped in the cave about the film, but did say he had reached out to those involved in the rescue.

Variety also reported that studios are interested in the film and that Ivanhoe has already spoken to "the most senior officials in Thailand, both on provincial and national levels, about the rescue project."

The rescue, which was just completed on Tuesday, came after 12 members of a boy soccers team and their coach had been trapped in a cave since June 23. According to CNN, family members of those who had been trapped were able to reunite with their children on July 11. The soccer team is currently in isolation at a hospital following the rescue. Many are expected to be discharged this week.